Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments of a colorized tread marker for a tire, a method of manufacturing the tread markers, as well as a tire incorporating the colorized markers within the tire tread and a method for manufacturing the tire. The tread markers serve as both aesthetic complements to the tires' visual appearance, such as indicia of the source of manufacture, distribution, or point of consumer purchase of the tire, as well as tread wear indicators that notify consumers when a tire is in need of replacement to help ensure the safety of a vehicle's occupants as well as the public at large.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire, in which a light is prevented from occurring on a wear indicator itself, edge portions and surfaces of a land portion located in the vicinity of the wear indicator, as well as a tire vulcanizing die therefor. In order to achieve the object, the main groove of the pneumatic tire includes on a groove bottom a wear indicator protruding by a predetermined height and in wall portions of the main groove located at both sides of the wear indicator as viewed in a width direction of the groove, at least one of the wall portions of the main groove is formed with at least one concave portion opening to a tread surface.

Abstract: A tread wear indicator may be molded into the shoulder region of a tire tread and may have three symbols. Two of the symbols may be alphanumeric characters and the third symbol may surround the two symbols. All three symbols may be visible prior to wearing the tread. After the tread has been worn a first amount, the first symbol may be invisible and the second and third symbols may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire will soon be required. After the tread has been worn a second amount, the first and second symbols may be invisible and the third symbol may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire is required immediately.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle has at least two predetermined radial wear thresholds. Beyond each threshold, a tread of the tyre is configured in such a way that the tread includes at least one set of at least one cavity, known as a “sounding” cavity, associated with that threshold. If a set includes a plurality of cavities, each cavity of the set is substantially aligned axially with each other cavity of the set. A number of the set(s) of cavity/cavities associated with each threshold is different from a number of the set(s) of cavity/cavities associated with each other threshold. The sets of sounding cavities are arranged in such a way that, beyond each threshold, the set(s) of sounding cavity/cavities associated with that threshold are evenly circumferentially distributed about the tyre.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire enabling an easy estimation of the presence or absence of an internal failure of the tire only by the observation of the external appearance of the tire, by interposing a detection layer mainly composed of at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic resin, which has a softening point of 50° C. to 150° C., in an interlayer between materials constituting the tire.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a tire having depth indicators arranged along an interior tire surface and methods of removing material from an interior tire surface. Particular embodiments of the present invention include a tire having a pair of beads spaced axially along a rotational axis of the tire; an inner exposed surface extending between each pair of beads and annularly about the rotational axis of the tire, the inner exposed surface being spaced from an exterior surface of the tire by a thickness of the tire, the inner surface including a depth indicator having a feature, where the feature of the depth indicator corresponds to an inward distance extending from the inner exposed surface into a thickness of elastomeric material, the elastomeric material extending between the inner exposed surface and a reinforcement embedded within the tire thickness. Particular embodiments include a bladder for forming the tire.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic radial ply truck tire having a tread with a tread depth D, at least two circumferential grooves dividing the tread into at least a first shoulder circumferential rib, an intermediary circumferential rib, and a second shoulder circumferential rib, the tire being characterized by the tread having a base region disposed at depth D and a cap region over the base region, the base region and the cap region adjoining along a boundary, the cap region comprising a cap rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 400 to 500%, true tensile of 77 to 83 MPa, 300% modulus of 9 to 11 MPa, tensile strength of 14 to 15 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 68, rebound of 20 to 25%; and the base region comprising a base rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 470 to 520%, true tensile of 135 to 150 MPa, 300% modulus of 13 to 15.5 MPa, tensile strength of 22 to 25 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 67, rebound 50 to 55%.

Abstract: A tread wear indicator may be molded into the shoulder region of a tire tread and may have three symbols. Two of the symbols may be alphanumeric characters and the third symbol may surround the two symbols. All three symbols may be visible prior to wearing the tread. After the tread has been worn a first amount, the first symbol may be invisible and the second and third symbols may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire will soon be required. After the tread has been worn a second amount, the first and second symbols may be invisible and the third symbol may be visible to indicate to the user that a new tire is required immediately.

Abstract: Embodiments include retreaded tires having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire, the tread band including a primary groove having a top open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom open to a back face of the tread band, the back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface, wherein the groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the secondary groove bottom opens in fluid communication with the base groove.

Abstract: Embodiments include a retreaded tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band may include a tread groove having a bottom and a top, the top of the groove open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band, the precured tread band further comprising a back face, the back face bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom is aligned over a length of the base groove. In some embodiments, the tread groove bottom may be open to the base groove over at least 50% or the entire length of the base groove.

Abstract: A wear indicator provided on a tread surface is constituted of seven sipes of an uppermost sipe, a lowermost sipe and an intermediate sipe, each extending in a lateral direction; and an upper-left sipe, an upper-right sipe, a lower-left sipe and a lower-right sipe, each extending in a longitudinal direction. The sipe uses a combination of an indication part used to indicate a character, and a non-indication part having a narrower groove width and not used to indicate a character, in a depth direction of the sipe. Single numeral is indicated by the combination of the indication parts in the seven sipes, and the combination of the indication parts is changed in the depth direction of the sipe such that the numeral stepwise changes in the depth direction of the sipe.

Abstract: A retread tire and methods for its manufacture, the retread tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band includes a back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface of the base portion of the tire and a tread groove bottom portion that extends below the back face of the tread band. The tread groove bottom portion may optionally include a void portion of the tread groove and may include the bottom wall of the tread groove and/or just the side walls of the bottom portion of the tread groove. Also included may be a base groove formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom of the tread groove is embedded within the base groove.

Abstract: Tire for motor-vehicles provided with a tread pattern wear indicator, where the tire tread is formed by pattern parts in the form of circumferential ribs and/or in the form of blocks and contains at least one circumferential groove, wherein the indicator is arranged in the surface part of the pattern in the circumferential ribs or blocks, which are in contact with the road surface, and is in the form of sipes running radially into tire tread, while the greatest depth of the indicator sipes is smaller than the depth (H) of the circumferential groove. The tread pattern wear indicator (3) consists of seven radial sipes of three different depths, created and arranged so that they form the Arabic numeral 8 in segment depiction.

Abstract: A tire is provided having features on the side of the tire that provide improved protection against irregular wear. More specifically, apertures provided at certain depths, densities, and locations along the side of the tire can provide for improved wear patterns, including a decrease in irregular shoulder wear, particularly in regional applications. The apertures can be constructed as holes or incisions in various shapes and combinations.

Abstract: A tyre (1) for motor vehicles, having a tread band (8) extending around a rotation axis (Z) and comprising an annular central portion (A) astride of an equatorial plane (X-X) of the tyre, two annular shoulder portions (B) arranged on axially opposite sides with respect to the annular central portion (A) and two annular side portions (C) each arranged between the annular central portion (A) and a respective annular shoulder portion (B), the tread band (8) having at least one module (Ti; T2) replicated along a circumferential direction of the tyre and comprising: at least one plurality of primary grooves inclined with respect to the equatorial plane (X-X) and arranged at least on the annular portions (B), (C); at least one plurality of secondary recesses arranged mainly on the annular central portion (A) and on at least one annular side portion (C); wherein a substantial disappearance of the secondary recesses determines a difference in the empty/solid ratio on the annular central (A) and side (C) portions betw

Abstract: A tyre includes a tread strip configured in such a way that, beyond a predetermined radial wear threshold, at least one pair of first and second sounding cavities is exposed. Each first and second sounding cavity is arranged respectively in a first and second circumferential groove of the tread strip. Each sounding cavity of the pair is connected to the other sounding cavity of the pair by a sounding channel formed in the tread strip. Each cavity of the pair and the associated channel: open radially to the outside of the tyre, and are configured so that they are closed by a ground surface in a substantially airtight manner as they pass through a contact patch where the tyre makes contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: A tire tread for a vehicle tire is disclosed wherein the tread has at least one tread element projecting from the base of the tread and having a defined tread depth, with at least one tread element having a first hole and having a first outer cross-sectional shape that is constant for a first depth. A molding device for forming a tread wear indicator in a tread is also disclosed. The molding device includes a mold blade, the mold blade having a solid first portion having a defined depth, wherein the solid first portion has a cross-sectional shape that is constant for the defined depth.

Abstract: A detection-alarm mechanism is provided. The detection-alarm mechanism for a tire includes a sensor, an electronic processing unit, a post-processing unit and a display unit. The sensor includes a substrate disposed in the tire and at least one photoelectronic element fixed to the substrate. If the tire is cracked, light passes through the cracks and reaches the photoelectronic elements to generate signals. The electronic processing unit receives signals from the photoelectronic elements to generate wear information. The post-processing unit is disposed in a vehicle on which the tire is installed and receives wear information from the electronic processing unit. The display unit is disposed in the vehicle for presenting the wear information.

Abstract: A tire tread includes at least one tread element and a treadwear indicator. The tread element projects from a base of the tire tread. The tread element has a radially outermost surface for contacting a road surface. The treadwear indicator includes a first step and a second step radially offset from the first step. The first step has a first surface disposed radially inward of the outermost surface of the tread element. The second step is disposed radially inward of the outermost surface of the tread element.

Abstract: A method of wear level determination and an associated product. Multiple Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags are distributed within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of a tire. The multiple RFID tags include first RFID tags that have not been worn away, second RFID tags that have been worn away, and a special RFID tag that has not been worn away. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of the tire is determined from data received from the first RFID tags and from a table in the special RFID tag. The product includes the wearing surface layer of the tire, the multiple RFID tags, and a mechanism for determining the measure of wear of the wearing surface layer.

Abstract: A method used for determining a profile depth or wear on a tread of a tire of a vehicle, and/or a tire characteristic, a magnetic field being detected by a magnetic field sensor disposed in the interior of the tire, particularly in the area of the tread on the tire interior, or at a distance from the tire, particularly in the area of a wheel housing or a wheel well of the vehicle, the magnetic field being transmitted or changed by at least one indicator element disposed in the tread on the tire exterior. The current wear state of the tread and/or the tire characteristic, particularly a tire type and/or permissible top speed, is determined based on output signals of the magnetic field sensor. The invention further relates to tires.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire, in which a light is prevented from occurring on a wear indicator itself, edge portions and surfaces of a land portion located in the vicinity of the wear indicator, as well as a tire vulcanizing die therefor. In order to achieve the object, the main groove of the pneumatic tire includes on a groove bottom a wear indicator protruding by a predetermined height and in wall portions of the main groove located at both sides of the wear indicator as viewed in a width direction of the groove, at least one of the wall portions of the main groove is formed with at least one concave portion opening to a tread surface.

Abstract: A tire tread comprising a rolling surface and at least one wear indicator formed by at least one cavity which opens onto the rolling surface, wherein the geometrical shape of the trace of the cavity on the rolling surface changes as a function of the wear level of the tread and wherein the geometrical shape of said trace is an analogical expression of the tread's wear level.

Abstract: Tires for vehicles comprising at least one scented rubber compound and/or at least one scented non-rubber component. Additionally disclosed is where one or more pheromones are used, in addition to or in place of, the scent or fragrance of the pertinent rubber compound(s) or non-rubber component(s), and where scent is used as a wear warning in place of, or in addition to, the novelty scented rubber compound and/or novelty scented non-rubber component. Wear warning mechanisms other than scent are presented. Also disclosed is a plug or insert comprising varied attributes including, or in place of, scent that enables customization, where at least one plug or insert may be installed in the above-mentioned vehicle tires, and in other vehicle tires as well.

Abstract: A tread band having a primary groove opening onto a front face of the tread band, a secondary feature molded into the tread band, and a wear indicator molded into a section of an undertread portion of the tread band. The wear indicator is useful for providing an end-of-useable tread indication when the front face of the tread band wears even with a top portion of the wear indicator. Furthermore, the secondary feature may be characterized as opening onto a back face of the tread band, a side face of the tread band or combinations thereof. The section of the undertread portion may extend less than about 4 mm or less than about 3 mm from the back face of the tread band. In other embodiments, the section of the undertread portion may extend less than about 1.5 mm from the back face of the tread band.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic radial ply truck tire having a tread with a tread depth D, at least two circumferential grooves dividing the tread into at least a first shoulder circumferential rib, an intermediary circumferential rib, and a second shoulder circumferential rib, the tire being characterized by the tread having a base region disposed at depth D and a cap region over the base region, the base region and the cap region adjoining along a boundary, the cap region comprising a cap rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 400 to 500%, true tensile of 77 to 83 MPa, 300% modulus of 9 to 11 MPa, tensile strength of 14 to 15 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 68, rebound of 20 to 25%; and the base region comprising a base rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 470 to 520%, true tensile of 135 to 150 MPa, 300% modulus of 13 to 15.5 MPa, tensile strength of 22 to 25 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 67, rebound 50 to 55%.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire enabling an easy estimation of the presence or absence of an internal failure of the tire only by the observation of the external appearance of the tire, by interposing a detection layer mainly composed of at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic resin, which has a softening point of 50° C. to 150° C., in an interlayer between materials constituting the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle velocity detector 15 is provided, velocity V is detected from position data of the vehicle calculated by using signal from satellites, which is received by a GPS receiver 11 installed to a vehicle body, wheel rotation velocity Vw0 detected by a wheel velocity sensor 12 is corrected in accordance with tire inner pressure detected by a pressure sensor 13 so as to obtain wheel rotation velocity (correction value) Vw, velocity ratio R=(Vw/V), which is ratio of the corrected wheel rotation velocity Vw and the detected wheel velocity V, is calculated and tire wear amount is estimated in accordance with velocity ratio R so that tire wear amount can be measured precisely without processing the tire tread portion.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire in which the deterioration of a tire material over time can be visually checked from its external appearance to determine the service life of the tire. The tire is characterized by including a deterioration indicator 7 formed by arranging two or more areas in a row. Time taken before a crack occurrence due to an environmental factor and/or a use factor is different among two or more areas. The deterioration indicator 7 is disposed in an exposed portion, other than a tread surface 1, of the tire.

Abstract: A tire including a tread and a belt having a first and a second ply. The first and second plies are made up of substantially parallel metallic reinforcing cords embedded in a rubber composition that are inclined with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire, and the cords of the first ply are inclined with respect to the cords of the second ply. At least one dipolar electric element connects at least one cord of the first ply to at least one cord of the second ply. The path followed by the dipolar electric element between the cord of the first ply and the cord of the second ply extends into a part of the tread so as to be worn away before or upon reaching a tread wear limit.

Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments of a colorized tread marker for a tire, a method of manufacturing the tread markers, as well as a tire incorporating the colorized markers within the tire tread and a method for manufacturing the tire. The tread markers serve as both aesthetic complements to the tires' visual appearance, such as indicia of the source of manufacture, distribution, or point of consumer purchase of the tire, as well as tread wear indicators that notify consumers when a tire is in need of replacement to help ensure the safety of a vehicle's occupants as well as the public at large.

Abstract: A tire tread 2 for a vehicle tire has a plurality of tread elements 10 extending radially outwardly from a tread base 24 to a radially outer surface. Each tread element 10 is defined by adjacent grooves 12, 14. The tread 2 has at least one tread element 10 projecting from the tread base 24 and having one or more tread wear indicators TWI 20. Each TWI 20 is located at the intersection of two grooves 12, 14 adjacent or integral to the at least one tread element 10.

Abstract: A tread 10 for a tire 2 has a plurality of tread elements or ribs 6, the shape of these tread ribs 6 is defined by a plurality of open grooves 12. The tread 10 has at least one full depth groove 12. The full depth groove 12 has a radially innermost groove bottom 14 providing a measuring location to establish the distance between the groove bottom 14 and outer surface of the tread 10 defining the tread depth. At least one tread rib 6 adjacent the at least one full depth groove 12 has one or more sipes 21, 22, 22A, or 24 extending radially inwardly from a radially outermost surface of the tread rib 6 inwardly to a depth greater than the distance X. The distance X defines a fully worn tread depth level extending radially above the full depth groove bottom 14. Preferably the location X is defined by a tread wear indicator (TWI) molded into the tread indicating the location of the distance X relative to the groove bottom 14 which defines the fully worn tread depth.

Abstract: A method and associated product for wear level determination. Data is received from at least one Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of each product of at least one product. The wearing surface layer of each product is an outermost surface layer of each product. The wearing surface layer of each product is adapted to be worn away such that the thickness of the wearing surface layer is reduced as each product is being used. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of each product is determined.

Abstract: A tire tread sensing system includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic field source configured to magnetize magnetizable particles embedded in a tire tread. The magnetic field sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with the magnetic field source and the magnetizable particles, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a tire tread depth. Alternatively, the particles comprise alternating permanent magnets embedded in a tread portion of a tire.

Abstract: Tyre for motor-vehicles provided with a tread pattern wear indicator, where the tyre tread is formed by pattern parts in the form of circumferential ribs and/or in the form of blocks and contains at least one circumferential groove, wherein the indicator is arranged in the surface part of the pattern in the circumferential ribs or blocks, which are in contact with the road surface, and is in the form of sipes running radially into tyre tread, while the greatest depth of the indicator sipes is smaller than the depth (H) of the circumferential groove. The tread pattern wear indicator (3) consists of seven radial sipes of three different depths, created and arranged so that they form the Arabic numeral 8 in segment depiction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread; the tread has a plurality of grooves, creating an initial tread configuration. The grooves and the tread elements formed thereby result in a tread have a net-to-gross ratio in the range of greater than 60%. Due to variations in the depths and variations in the heights and formations of the tread elements, after the tread has been worn, the tread has a net-to-gross ratio in the range of less than 60%.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread with plurality of grooves creating tread elements therein and defining a non-skid tread depth measured from the radially outer surface of the tread to the radially innermost surface of the grooves. Groove voids are located radially inward of the tread surface. The groove voids do not extend to the unworn tread surface and have a primary axis of orientation along the circumferential length of the tread. The primary axis of orientation of the groove voids is 0°-35° relative to the equatorial plane of the tire. The groove voids are aligned such that, when the tire tread is worn to a depth wherein the groove voids are exposed, a groove is created in the tread. The created groove extends in the circumferential direction and has a circumferential length greater than the length between the leading and trailing edges of the tread footprint.

Abstract: When the tire reaches a limit of wear level, tire wear indicators generate an acoustic signal by knocking the ground. Magnetic, optical and mechanical versions exist. A detector made of a microphone located under the vehicle and a processing central unit switches on a warning included in the dashboard. In a more sophisticated version, the detector recognizes the incriminated wheel using the phase of the acoustic signal and the information from the ABS™. Application to the detection of the decay of a tire, or any other type of wear surface such as pad, or similar, and to the detection of the presence of snow chains or spikes.

Abstract: A detection-alarm mechanism is provided. The detection-alarm mechanism for a tire includes a sensor, an electronic processing unit, a post-processing unit and a display unit. The sensor includes a substrate disposed in the tire and at least one photoelectronic element fixed to the substrate. If the tire is cracked, light passes through the cracks and reaches the photoelectronic elements to generate signals. The electronic processing unit receives signals from the photoelectronic elements to generate wear information. The post-processing unit is disposed in a vehicle on which the tire is installed and receives wear information from the electronic processing unit. The display unit is disposed in the vehicle for presenting the wear information.

Abstract: A tread band having a primary groove opening onto a front face of the tread band, a secondary feature molded into the tread band, and a wear indicator molded into a section of an undertread portion of the tread band. The wear indicator is useful for providing an end-of-useable tread indication when the front face of the tread band wears even with a top portion of the wear indicator. Furthermore, the secondary feature may be characterized as opening onto a back face of the tread band, a side face of the tread band or combinations thereof. The section of the undertread portion may extend less than about 4 mm or less than about 3 mm from the back face of the tread band. In other embodiments, the section of the undertread portion may extend less than about 1.5 mm from the back face of the tread band.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bicycle tire having a wear indicator. The tire has a plurality of tire ribs distributed on a tread to act as the portion of the tire directly contacting with the ground. The plurality of tire ribs comprise more than one indicative tire rib, and the indicative tire rib has at least one color block layer. When the color block layer is completely worn, it means that the extent of the wear has reached the standard of immediately replacing the tire. In addition, the indicative tire rib can be also provided at such a position that the extent of wear of the tire has reached to an extent of replacing with a new one immediately once the color block layer appears.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread with at least one groove having a groove depth Dg extending from an initial tread surface to the base of the groove. The tread has at least one tread wear indicator having at least two different colored portions. The tread wear indicator is a strip inclined at an angle relative to the tread surface and extending to a depth Dr at least equivalent to the groove depth Dg. In manufacturing the tire, the tread wear indicator is applied to a splice cut edge of the tread rubber such that, after splicing the tread rubber, the tread wear indicator strip is located within the tread splice.

Abstract: A tire in which a tire manufacturer has determined the tractive capacity at numerous levels of tread wear, the tire having at least one visual warning indicator located at a tread depth corresponding to a percentage loss of tractive capacity. Also, a method of making the tire and a method improving traffic safety through use of such a tire combined with educating the consumer as to proper use of the tire.

Abstract: A detection and warning system is presented. The system comprises a logic element, a conductive element, and an indicator. The conductive element is connected to the logic element. The conductive element is embedded at a predetermined location in an object such as a tire tread. When the conductive element breaks after the tire tread wears to a predetermined level, the logic element signals the indicator to warn of an unsafe condition.

Abstract: A temperature indicator for a rubber article comprises a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is a component of a rubber article selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses. A rubber article containing a temperature indicator is also disclosed, wherein the temperature indicator comprises a thermochromic material compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator. A method of determining the operating temperature of a rubber article comprises incorporating at least one thermochromic material into a rubber article, the at least one thermochromic material having the property of changing color at a predetermined temperature, and examining the thermochromic material for a change in color, wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. A wearable filler, having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire, is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: An improved truck racing tire includes three belts and reduced tread and undertread thickness for weight reduction. An asymmetric shoulder design is provided and circumferential grooves having wear indicia therein at a preselected depth are incorporated into the tread to divide the tread into plural ribs. Notches are formed within the tread ribs in circumferential patterns of distribution at a depth equivalent to the depth of groove tread wear indicators. The tread is constructed of a relatively softer compound in the cap and a relatively harder compound in the base. The boundary between the cap and the base is at a depth corresponding to the notch depth and the wear indicators within the grooves to provide a further indication and confirmation of wear pattern and magnitude.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for fitting a tire, of the type with an incorporated air chamber, normally referred to as “tubeless”, on a rim. According to the invention, the said tire having a marking indicating an extreme value of a parameter having a circumferential variation, an area of at least one bead of the tire is held at least during a first inflation phase, the said area being azimuthed according to the said marking. The fitting according to the invention makes it possible to control the variations in radial load on the periphery of the fitted assembly. The invention also proposes a method of analyzing such a tire.

Abstract: A tire tread has at least one cavern formed in the sidewall of the traction elements of the tire. The cavern has a base with information therein to indicate the state of wear of the tire and a ceiling that is progressively worn away as the tread wears. Multiple caverns may be formed in the traction elements. If arranged in a series at progressively increasing or decreasing radial heights, the remaining tread life is communicated to an operator. If the caverns are located in different locations of the tread, relative wear patterns of the tire can also be indicated.